THE STRIP

The strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is one of the premier drag strips, anywhere in the country. I haven't seen the new "Bellagio of Drag Strips" in Charlotte, N.C., but the Vegas complex, including the NASCAR track, is a first class facility. When we were a part of the N.H.R.A. family in 2002-03, we worked, and parked our motor home at many tracks across the country, and at that time, the Vegas facility was right at the top of the list. Yesterday, I again visited with lots of friends, catching up on the latest in the drag racing world. Most everyone is glad that this is the next to last of 24 races, and the grueling travel around the country is almost over, at least for a few months before they do it all over again. I consider myself a motor sports junkie, and have attended just about every type of motor sports event there is. I've sat in the bleachers at NASCAR races, and have seen the Vegas and Dallas NASCAR races from the luxurious corporate suites, with all of the amenities. Through work connections, my son Marc has shown me the corporate hospitality side of NASCAR, and in fact, he and Chandra are flying to Dallas next week, where they will enjoy the NASCAR race in Bombardier's corporate suite. I still favor the drag races however. The drivers are visible and accessible, as the pit area is open to everyone. There are all kinds of displays, from corporations like Ford, Harley-Davidson, US Army, well you name it. There are usually various car displays like pictured above. There's a little bit of everything, but nothing compares to the smell of nitro-methane, and the raw, body shaking energy of an 8,000 horsepower, top fuel dragster, traveling 1,000 feet, at over 300 miles per hour. Nothing even comes close to the incredible acceleration of these beasts. It's about time to head back to the track, and watch some of the action.